August j



PATENTED JAN. 5, 1904.

, JARS, 0R SIMILAR REGEPTAGLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. so, 1903.

A. J. MOTTLAU.

/NVENTOR DETECTOR OF THE CONTENTS OF BOTTLES no MODEL.

mus PiTERS so. warm mm wxswnsrow n c UNITED STATES Patented January 5, 1904.

PAT NT OFFIcE.

AUGUST J. MQTTLAU, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 749,080, dated January 5, 1904. Application filed March 30, 1903. Serial No. 150,093. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUST J. MOTTLAU, a subject of the King of Denmark, and a resident of New York, county and State of New York, have in vented a new and useful Detec: tor of the Contents of Bottles, Jars, or Similar Receptacles, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to attachments for hottles, jars, and similar objects; and its principal object is to provide such an attachment that will indicate to an'observer whether or not anything has been introduced into the bottle, jar, or similar receptacle after it had once been filled.

My invention consists in-the apparatus and device herein described and shown.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of my invention as applied to an ordinary bottle, said bottle and the attachments to the same being in vertical section. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the neck of the bottle as shown in Fig. 1 and its connections, except that the, cap or stopper is removed. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical section, greatly enlarged, of the lower end of the detector device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4. is a transverse section through theline A A of Fig. 3 with the valve-operating weight removed. Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 3, but showing the positions of the parts when the bottle, and consequently the detector device, is tipped to a horizontal position. Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 3 of a slightly-difierent form of valve to that shown in Fig. 3, but with the valve-operating weight removed and as taken through line B B of Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the line 0 O of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a similar view to Fig. 6, but with the valve-operating weight in operating position. Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 6, but havinga slightly-different form of valve. Fig. 10 is a transverse section through the line D D of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a similar view to Fig. 9, but with the valve-operating weight in operating position. Fig. 12' is a similar view to'Figs. 6 and 7, but showing a still different form of valve and one in which no operatingweight is used. Fig. 13 is a similar section to Fig. 12, butshowinganother form of valve in which no operating-weight is used. Fig. l tillustrates a fragmentarydetail in greatly-enlarged vertical section of'a different manner of connecting the upper end of the detector device with the wall or neck of the bottle.

Similar numbers represent like parts in all the figures.

1 is anordinary bottle, preferably of transparent material.

2 is a tube, preferably translucent or transparent, inclosed within the'bottle l, extending down to or near the bottom 3 of said bottle. The upperfend of said tube 2 is closed by a cap 4., having a small hole 5 in its top. The cap 4: should be hermetically sealed to the tube 2. The tube 2 at a short distance from its bottom is closed by a plug 6, and in this plug is a small vertical hole or perforation 7. The upper or inner surface of the plug 6 is provided with a curved recess 8, and a flap-valve 9, impervious to air and liquid and preferably of rubber, is secured at or near one end of the top surface of the plug 6 beyond said recess 8, and the other end of said valve extends over the hole or perforation 7. 10 is a similar valve,'secured to the bottom surface of the plug 6 and extending under and covering the hole 7.

11 is a weight, preferably spherical or ballshaped, inclosed in the tube 2 and normally resting (when the bottle is standing on its bottom) upon the valve 9, so as to force that portion of the valve which is over the recess 8 into said recess and to curl up the part of the valve that is over the hole 7 away from said hole, as shown in Fig. 3. The cap 4 is constructed to be so secured to the bottle or other receptacle so that it cannot be removed without breaking said bottle or receptacle. In Fig. 1 I have shown said cap 4 as forming part of a ring 12, said ring ext-ending laterally outward from the cap 4 and its outer periphery fitting the inner wall of the bottleneck 13 and said ring provided with a laterally-extending flange 14 for resting upon the outer end or mouth of the bottle. The ring 12 should be attached to the inner wall of the bottle-neck by cement or otherwise, so that neither it nor the tube 2,including the cap could be removed without breaking the bottle.

The perforation or hole 5 is intended for an air-inlet only and should therefore be of such small diameter as not to allow the passage of liquid. The opening 7is also preferably small, for although it is for the purpose of permitting the outflow of liquid from the tube 2 there will be quite suflicient pressure of air Within the tube to cause said outflow at the proper time.

The outlet of the bottle 1 is closed by an air and liquid tight stopper. In Fig. 1 I have shown such stopper in the form of a screweap 15, engaging with a screw-thread on the outer periphery 16 of the ring 12. Between the under surface of the cap 15 and ring 12 and the cap 4 is a flexible washer 17, preferably of cork, which washer makes the outlet of the bottle air and liquid tight.

The plug 6 and the valves 9 and 10 may be all made of one piece and molded together and may be made of rubber or of any appropriate yielding material that is non-corrodible and of such a nature as not to be afiected by alcohol or similar liquid. The ring 12 and its connecting parts, including the cap 4, may be made of white or other non-corrodible metal, glass, or similar substance. The spherical weight or ball 11 may be made of the same substance as the ring 12 and cap 4, as also may the outer cap 15. I prefer to make the washer or thin disk 17 of cork, although this material is not essential.

In order that the entire apparatus may be put into practical use, the tube 2 should be filled to the desired extent with the same liquid that is in or is to be put in the bottle 1 before said tube is inserted in the bottle. The liquid may be first poured into the bottle, say, up to the level of the point 18, which is about as near as bottles are usually filled. The tube 2 should be filled with the same liquid to a point opposite the point 18 or to a point above said point 18. The ring 12 should then be securely fastened to the bottle-neck 13 in such a manner that said ring connot be removed from the bottle neck without breaking the bottle. This may be done by cement or other means. Instead of inserting the tube 2 in the bottle after the liquid has been poured in the same said tube can be inserted into the bottle 1 when the latter is empty ifthe perforation or hole 5 is closed air-tight by a temporary plug or by any other temporary means. As no air can thus enter the tube 2 through the perforation 5, the liquid in the tube will be prevented from passing out through the opening or hole 7 into the bottle. The ring 12 can then be secured to the neck of the bottle, asabove described, and then the liquid can be poured into the bottle, and after this has been done the temporary plug should then be removed from the hole 5. If the liquid in the tube 2 has been at a point higher than that in the bottle 1, the liquid in the tube will flow out into the bottle until the liquid in the bottle has come to the same level as that of the tube, when no further liquid will pass out of the tube. The liquid in the bottle will be prevented from entering the tube at the top through the hole 5 by reason of its small diameter and also on account of the tube above the level of the liquid being filled with air, and the liquid will also be prevented from entering the to be 2 at the bottom, as the valve 10 closes the passage 7, and any pressure inward toward the tube would cause the valve 10 to more completely close the passage 7. The outer cap 15 and the washer l7 serve the purpose of an ordinary cork or stopper to close the mouth of the bottle. If it were not for the weight 11, the liquid would not have a free passage through the opening 7 in the plug 6 to cause the liquid in the bottle and the tube to seek its level, as the valve 9 without other means would cover the inner end of the hole 7, as shown in Fig. 5. When the bottle is standing in the position shown in Fig. 1, the spherical weight 11 presses a portion of the valve 9 down into the recess 8 and causes the end of said valve which is above the hole 7 to turn up away from said hole, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and will thus allow the passage of-the liquid from the tube 2 through the passage 7 into the bottle, the

pressure of the outflowing liquid pressing down and opening the valve 10, so as to allow the liquid to escape. When the bottle is tipped to pour out the liquid from the same, the weight 11 will roll away from valve 9, as shown in Fig. 5, and the valve 10 will close the hole 7, preventing any liquid from the bottle entering the tube through said hole, pressure being still greater upon the outside of the valve 10 to close the hole 7 by reason of the outward pressure being removed by the flow of the liquid and the ball 11 toward the outer end of the tube. When the bottle is righted again, so as to be made stand in the position shown in Fig. 1, the liquid in the tube will come to the same level as that in the bottle. If an attempt be made to pour any liquid into the bottle after the apparatus has been put into practical use, the level of the liquid in the bottle will be above the level of the liquid in the tube, and this can be discovered by any means for ascertaining the difference in the levels of liquids. If the bottle and the tube be translucent or transparent, the difierence in the levels of the liquids can be ascertained by a visual examination. It the bottle has not been trifled with that is, if no liquid has been poured into it after it has once been filledwhen the bottle becomes entirely empty the tube 2 will be entirely emptythat is, there will be no liquid in said tube. It will, however, be filled with air which will have entered through the hole 5 in the cap 4. Although the bottle 1 can be filled, it will be impossible to fill the tube 2 as long as it is in the bottle. It cannot be filled at its lower end through the passage 7, as any pressure from outside at this end would force the valve 10 more tightly over said passage. If it be attempted to fill the tube 2 through the opening 5, by reason of the air in said tube any attempt to force ICO liquid through the small passage will cause the air in the tube 2 to compress and close the valve 9 down upon the hole 7, and thus prevent the outlet of the air from said tube 2.

The hole 5 should be so small as not to per-,

paratus has been put into practical use.

As above stated, the plug6 may be made of yielding material, such as rubber. valves 9 and 10 can be molded with said plug, and they may all be so made integral and molded at one time; butsuch valves may be cemented hermetically to said plug 6, if desired, and the plug 6 may be made of a different material from the valves. Instead of the plug being made with the recess 8, as above described and shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5, a plug 19 may be used with a transverse recess 20, so as to form a tongue 21, extending in a direction away from the hole or outlet 22. When the weight or ball llis not resting upon the upper valve 23, as will be the case when the bottle and the tube are tipped, the valve 23 will close the inner end of the opening 22, as shown in Fig. 6, the elasticity of the valve and the tongue 21 assisting in such operation. When, however, the weight 11 rests upon the valve '23, as shown in Fig. 8, which will be the case when the bottle is standing, said weight will bear down the tongue 21 and the valve 23 beyond the hole 22, and thus cause that portion of thevalve over the hole 22 to turn up away from said hole, and thus uncover the same. The operation will be the. same with this construction as with the construction shown and described in relation to the preceding figures.

In Figs. 9, l0, and 11 I have shown still another form of valve and plug. In this construction the plug 24 is of yielding material. The valve 25 is made of rigid material and is fulcrumed at 26 as a lever a short distance from the hole 27. The upper portion of the plug 24 is cut away from the side which is opposite to the hole 27 to within a point near valve away from the hole 27, as shown in Fig. 11.

the fulcrum proper, 26, in the form ofa yoke, as shown in Figs. 9, l0, and 11, and of rigid The I prefer to make the connection, or

material, such as white non-corrodible metal, and the valve 25 may be made of the same material. When said valve is forced down into the position shown in Fig. 11, it will turn the yoke 26 slightly toward the recess in the plug 24 and also slightly com press the corner. of the shoulder 28. As soon as the valve 25 is relieved from the pressure of the weight 11 the resilient quality of the plug 24 will draw the valve 25 back to the positionshown in Fig. 9, and thus close the innerend of the hole 27.

Fig. 12 shows a construction in which no valve-operating weight is used. In, this construction the plug 29 is provided with a transverse recess, preferably V shape. The hole or outlet-passage for the liquid is divided by said recess, so as to make the holes or passages 31 and 32 opposite each other, respectively. The outer hole 32 is provided with a valve 33, similar to the valve 10 in the preceding figures and operatingin asimilar manner. The hole3l is also provided with a valve 34, similar to the valve33, inclosed'and secured within the recess and normally bearing upon the upper wall of said recess and closing the under end of thehole 31. When this construction is used and the bottle is in a standing position, as in Fig. 1, the liquid from the tube will pass out of the same into the bottle through the passages 31 32, valves 34 and 33 yielding for this purpose, and theliquid in the bottle will assume the same level as that in the tube. When the .bottle is tipped to pour the liquid out of the same, neither air nor liquid will be able to enter the tube 2, as any pressure inward from the bottom of said tube will force both of said valves 34'and 33 more tightly. against their seats to close the holes 31 and 32. It will also be found that the tube 2 cannot be filled through the passage or opening 5, as any at-. tempt to force fluid into the tube through said passage will compress the air in the tube, forceitout through passage 31, and'drive the valve 34 down, over and close. the upper end of the valve 32, preventing the outflow of air from said tube and the consequent inflow of the fluid into said tube through the hole 5.

In Fig. 13 I have shown another construction wherein the upper valve 35 is normally on a plane somewhat oblique to that part of the upper or inner surface of the plug 36 having the passage 37 and normally correspondingly withdrawn from the upper or inner end of said hole or opening. The valve and piug should be so constructed that the gravity of the liquid in the tube 2 will not be sufiicient to entirely close the passage 37 by the valve 35; but any additional pressure above said valveas, for example, the attempt to force liquid into the tube 2 through the hole 5will force the valve 35 down upon its seat over the hole 37 and close the same, thus preventing the outlet of air from the tube through said hole and the consequent inflow of the fluid into the tube 2 through the hole 5. A very simple means of constructing the valve 35 so as to be normally at an angle or oblique with its seat is to bevel off the upper surface of the plug 37 where the valve 35 meets the same, as shown at 38. The plane of the valve 35 will therefore be the plane of the bevel 38. Instead of the upper end of the tube 2 being secured to the mouth of the bottle 1, as shown in Fig. 1, said upper end of the tube 2 may be secured to the bottle neck or wall below or at some distance within said neck. Fig. 14 shows one means for securing the tube 2 to a bottle-neck. In this construction the neck 39 is provided with an annular recess 40 within said neck, and the perforated cap 41 of the tube 2 forms part of a spring-ring 42, so that the tube may be inserted into the neck 39 by compression of said ring until it reached the annular recess 40, when the resilience of the ring will cause it to spring outward and fill up the recess 40, the upper and lower shoulders of said recess preventing the displacement of the ring, and consequently of the tube 2. I have shown the recess 40 as provided with annular shoulders 43 and the ring having similar shoulders 44, bearing upon the shoulders 43. The perforation or hole in the cap 41 is shown at 45. The above construction is appropriate for bottles in which ordinary cork stoppers are to be used, said stopper being adapted to be inserted in the upper portion of the neck 39 above the recess 40. My invention provides a most efficient detector of the contents of bottles to indicate immediately to an observer whether or not any liquid has been poured into the bottle after any of it has been poured out of the same, for, as above stated, the admission of any liquid into the bottle after any liquid has been poured out of the same will cause the level of the liquid in the bottle to be either the only liquid-level inclosed within the bottle or to be of a higher level than that of any liquid that may be in the tube 2.

My invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the construction herein described and shown, as many changes otherthan those suggested may be made without departing from the main principles of my invention or sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1 l. Adetector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and means for permitting the exit of liquid from the tube but of preventing its entrance into the tube.

2. Adetector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and means for permitting the exit of liquid from the tube but of preventing its entrance into the tube, and said tube constructed to be inserted within the bottle or receptacle, and

of air and means for permitting the exit of liquid from the tube but of preventing its entrance into the tube.

4. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a transparent tube having means for the admission of air and means for permitting the exit of liquid from the tube but of preventing its entrance into the tube.

5. In combination with a bottle, jar or similar receptacle, a tube inclosed within thereceptacle and having means for the admission of air and means for permitting the exit of liquid from the tube but of preventing its entrance into the tube.

6. In combination with a bottle, jar or similar receptacle, a tube inclosed within the receptacle and having means for the admission of air and means for permitting the exit of liquid from the tube but of preventing its entrance into the tube, and said tube secured to the receptacle.

7. In combination with a bottle, jar or similar receptacle, a translucent tube inclosed within the receptacle and having means for the ad mission of air and means for permitting the exit of liquid from the tube but of preventing its entrance into the tube.

8. In combination with a bottle, jar or similar receptacle, a transparent tube inclosed within the receptacle and having means for the admission of air and means for permitting the exit of liquid from the tube but of preventing its entrance into the tube.

9. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with a valve opening and closing outlet permitting the outflow of liquid from the tube by gravity, but preventing such outflow if pressure in addition to gravity be employed, whereby liquid may be caused to flow from the tube but admission of liquid into the tube will be prevented.

10. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, a valve for said outlet, and means for automatically opening said valve when the tube is in its normal substantially vertical position, and of permitting said valve to close when the tube is moved from such position.

11. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, and constructed to permit the outflow of liquid through said outlet from the tube, but preventing the admission of liquid into the tube.

12. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, and constructed to permit the outflow of liquid through said outlet from the tube, but preventing such outflow if pressure in additionto gravity be employed, whereby liquid may be caused to flow from the tube, but admission of liquid into the tube will be prevented.

13. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, one of said valves constructed and arranged to prevent the admission of liquid into the tube, and the other valve constructed and arranged to prevent the flow of liquid from the tube, if greater pressure than gravity be employed.

14. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, one of said valves opening outward, and the other valve opening inward, means for holding the inner valve open when the bottle or receptacle is standing, and for permitting said valve to close, whenthe bottle or receptacle is tipped.

15. A detector of the contents of bottles,

'jars and similar receptacles, consistingof a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, one of said valves opening outward, and the other valve open ing inward, means for automatically holding the inner valve open when the bottle or receptacle is standing, and for permitting said valve to close, when the bottle or receptacle is tipped.

16. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, one of said valves opening outward, and the other valve opening inward, means for depressing the inner valve at a point away from the outlet, and consequently withdrawing that part of the Valve over the outlet from the same when the bottle or receptacle is standing, and for per- I mitting said valve to close when the bottle or receptacle is tipped.

17. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, one of said valves opening outward, and the other valve opening inward, a weight in said tube for depressing the inner valve at a point away from the outlet, and consequently withdrawing that partof the valve over the outlet from the same, when the bottle or receptacle is standing and for permitting said valve to close when the bottle or receptacle is ripped.

18. A detector of the contents of bottles, jars and similarreceptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, one of said valves opening outward, and the other valve opening inward, a spherical weight in said tube for depressing the inner valve at a point away from the outlet, and consequently withdrawing that part of the valve over the outlet from the same, when the bottle or receptacle is standing, and for permitting said valve to close when the bottle or receptacle is tipped.

19. In combination with a bottle, jar or similar receptacle, a tubeinclosed within the receptacle and having means for the admission of air,and also provided with a valve opening and closing outlet permitting the outflow of liquid from the tube by gravity, but preventing such outflow if pressure in addition to gravity be employed, whereby liquid may be caused to flow from the tube, but admission of liquid into the tube will be prevented.

20. In combination with a bottle, jar or similar receptacle, a tube inclosed within the receptacle having means for the admission of air and also provided with an outlet, a valve for said outlet, and means for automatically opening said valve when the tube is in its normal substantially vertical position, and of permitting said valve to close when the tube is moved from such position.

21. In combination with a bottle, jar or similar receptacle, a tube inclosed within the receptacle and having means for the admission of air, and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, and constructed to permit the outflow of liquid through said outlet from the tube, but preventing theadmission of liquid into the tube. 1

22. In combination with a bottle, jar or similar receptacle, a tube inclosed within the receptacle and having means for the admission of air, and also'provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, and constructed to permit the outflow of liquid through said outlet from the tube, but preventing such outflow if pressure in addition to gravity be employed, whereby liquid may be caused to flow from the tube, but admission of liquid into the tube will be prevented.

23. In combination with a bottle jar or similar receptacle, a tube inclosed within the receptacle and having means for the admission of air, and also provided with an outlet, and two valves covering said outlet, one of said valves constructed and arranged to prevent the admission of liquid into the tube, and the other valve constructed and arranged to prevent the flow of liquid from the tube, if greater pressure than gravity be employed.

24. A detector of the contents of bottles, jar-sand similar receptacles, consisting of a tube having means for the admission of air In testimony whereof I have signed my and also provided with a valve opening and name to this specification in the presence of closing outlet permitting the outflow of liquid two subscribing witnesses.

from the tube by gravity, but preventing AUGUST J. MOTTLAU. 5 such outflow if pressure in addition to gravity I Witnesses:

is employed, and also preventing the admis- PENNINGTON HALSTED,

sion of liquid into the tube. EDWIN SEGER. 

